Storr Leads Panthers Past Sens

OTTAWA
The Florida Panthers were in Ottawa today to play the Senators and were in an ugly mood after a tough defeat the night before against the Wild. The Panthers took out their anger on the Senators and went on the attack often and early. Roberto Loungo was given the night off and back up Jamie Storr stepped in and help lead the Panthers to a 8-0 victory and posted his second shutout of the year.

The Senators matched the Panthers shot for shot (12) in the first but that was where the similarities ended. The Panthers scored 5 goals in the period starting with Kim Johnsson at 4:57. Pierre Dagenais scored twice in the period and both were assisted by Eric Daze and Cole Jarrett. The first was at 9:17 and his second was at 13:15 and in between his two goals Ivan Novoseltsev scored his 24th of the year at 11:30. Mike Rathje finished the scoring in the period at 13:46 to give Florida a 5-0 lead and chased starting goalie Roman Turek from the net and he was replaced by Fred Brathwaite.

The first period deflated the Senators as they were not the same in the second. Florida out shot Ottawa 14-5 in the period but only were able to get one goal past Brathwaite. That goal was scored by Valeri Bure at 14:54. Bure intercepted a pass and went in all alone and deked Brathwaite for his 23rd goal of the season.

With a 6-0 lead the third was a mere fomality to see if Jamie Storr could preserve his shut out bid. Yanic Lehoux added to the score at 2:42 for his 14th of the season. Cale Hulse finished the scoring at 16:06 and Jamie Storr got his second shut out of the year as the Panthers easily took care of the Senators by the final score of 8-0.

The Panthers head back home to play the New Jersey Devils which could be good for the Devils as the Panthers have had trouble winning at home as they are a mere 8-14-2 but are also 17-7-3 against teams in their conference.

Which team will show up tonight in Florida is anyone's guess.....for the Devils they hope its the one that played the Wild and not the one that played the Senators.